Long-Term Orientation and Relationship Lending: A Cross-Cultural Study on the Effect of Time Preferences on the Choice of Corporate Debt

We examine how time preferences impact the financing decision of firms. We hypothesize that the degree of long-term orientation in a country is positively related to the use of bank relationship lending. Based on a thorough theoretical investigation and an extensive empirical analysis using a large, worldwide dataset, we find strong support for our hypothesis on the role of time preferences for financial intermediation. Our results are robust to controlling for other determinants of the choice of debt financing as well as to applying alternative variables and different estimation methods. Firms in long-term orientation countries appear to prefer relationship bank financing, since it is usually available for the long run and will not be withdrawn quickly in response to adverse developments. This allows managers to preserve a more strategic view and pursue longer planning horizons.     

Amorphous ternary rare-earth gate oxides for future integration in MOSFETs

In this contribution we present results on the structural and electrical properties of amorphous REScO₃ (RE = La, Gd, Tb, Sm) and LaLuO₃ thin films. The study reveals that these oxides are potential candidates for so-called higher-k dielectrics for forthcoming MOSFET generations. High dielectric constants up to 32, low leakage currents and low interface trap densities are determined for amorphous thin films prepared by pulsed-laser deposition, molecular beam deposition and e-gun evaporation. Moreover, we show that LaLuO₃ gate stacks annealed up to 1050 °C maintain low leakage current densities without substantial EOT increase. Finally, promising results for n-MOSFETs with GdScO₃ as gate dielectric processed on strained silicon-on-insulator substrates are also shown.     

Debaryomyces hansenii--an extremophilic yeast with biotechnological potential

We illuminate the ecological, physiological and genetic characteristics of the yeast Debaryomyces hansenii in the view of our belief that this metabolically versatile, non-pathogenic, osmotolerant and oleaginous microorganism represents an attractive target for fundamental and applied biotechnological research. To this end, we give a broad overview of extant biotechnological procedures using D. hansenii, e.g. in the manufacture of various foods, and propose research into the heterologous synthesis of a range of fine chemicals.     

Bimodality in the Electroluminescence Spectra of InGaAs Quantum Well–Dot Nanostructures

Semiconductors - The polarization-resolved electroluminescence spectra of waveguide structures based on quantum well–dots are investigated in the temperature range of 60–300 K. It is...     

Johnny: An Autonomous Service Robot for Domestic Environments

In this article we describe the architecture, algorithms and real-world benchmarks performed by Johnny Jackanapes, an autonomous service robot for domestic environments. Johnny serves as a research and development platform to explore, develop and integrate capabilities required for real-world domestic service applications. We present a control architecture which allows to cope with various and changing domestic service robot tasks. A software architecture supporting the rapid integration of functionality into a complete system is as well presented. Further, we describe novel and robust algorithms centered around multi-modal human robot interaction, semantic scene understanding and SLAM. Evaluation of the complete system has been performed during the last years in the RoboCup@Home competition where Johnnys outstanding performance led to successful participation. The results and lessons learned of these benchmarks are explained in more detail.     

Segregated structures in carbon black-containing immiscible polymer blends: HIPS/LLDPE systems

The structure/electrical resistivity relationship in CB-loaded immiscible HIPS/LLDPE blends was studied. Effects of CB content and location, dispersed polymer phase size and shape, dispersed phase viscosity, and processing procedures were examined. The elongated dispersed phase in CB-containing blends is essential for promoting conductivity in formulations prepared by melt mixing and compression molding. However, the same formulations proved highly resistive when injection-molded, due to orientation and excessive shearing. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 1097–1106, 1997     

Deep drawing of fabric-reinforced thermoplastics: Wrinkle formation and their reduction

Producing highly stiff and strong thin-walled fabric-reinforced parts for mass application can be economic using a double-belt press to consolidate thermoplastic sheet and a hydraulic press for non-isothermal stamp forming in a second step. During stamp forming, undesired wrinkle formation can occur at sites of three dimensional forming. To understand the mechanisms of wrinkle formation, shear tests were performed with different types of reinforcing glass and carbon fabric, both dry and impregnated with a polyamide (PA12) matrix. Evidence has been found that wrinkle formation during fabric shear is strongly dependent on membrane stresses within the fabric. High membrane stresses of ∼20 MPa can prevent wrinkling even at high shear angles of ∼60°. These stresses can be generated during stamp forming by means of blank holders. A new flexible roller tracking device has successfully been installed on a stamp forming pilot plant. It was possible to form chests sized 450 mm. 300 mm. 40 mm (w. l. d) free of wrinkles with a 4-ply glass plain weave fabric preimpregnated with polyamide matrix (PA12) and a fiber content of 45 vol%.     

Conductive polymer blends with low carbon black loading: Polypropylene/polyamide

The electrical resistivity and morphology of polypropylene/nylon (PP/Ny) immiscible blends incorporated with carbon black (CB) were studied. CB was found to be preferentially located in the Ny phase or upon the Ny/PP interface. Blends with a co-continuous phase morphology depicted especially low resistivity values, due to a “double percolation” effect. The blend preparation sequence tends to affect the phase morphology, thus influencing the system's resistivity. Polymer polarity and crystallinity are important factors determining the blend's morphology, which relates directly to the electrical resistivity obtained.